Only a leisurely two-hour drive from downtown San Diego, the desert community of Borrego Springs is known for having some of the best stargazing conditions in the U.S. Because of its dry air, minimal light pollution and more than 300 clear nights a year, it is a popular destination for stargazers of all kindsWith pleasant weathermost of the year, this small rural community offers visitors a magnificent desert landscape unlike any other in the area, and a skyscape you'll not soon forget. On many nights, the Milky Way arches majestically across the starry heavens and displays its intricate dark lane structure and central bulge, and stargazers can easily see the faintest of stars. Though it's located in the heart of one of the most densely populated regions of the planet, Borrego Springs is an attractive destination for stargazers. Because of the town's exceptional commitment to dark sky protection and restoration, the International Dark Sky Associationdesignated it in 2009 as the first International Dark Sky Community in California. It remains the only one in the entire state. Borrego Springs is one of the darkest towns in Southern California, partly because it is completely surrounded by nearly a thousand square miles of the dark Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, itself designated as International Dark Sky Parkin 2018. Mountains flank the desert on three sides and effectively block much of the light pollution from distant desert and coastal cities.In addition to a variety of popular public lectures, workshops and special events throughout the year, the annual Nightfall Star Partyis hosted here by the Riverside Astronomical Societyevery autumn.In 2011, KCET designated Borrego Springs as one of The 7 Best SoCal Locations for Desert Night Sky Viewing. In 2012, USA Todaynamed the town as one of Ten Great Places to Stargaze in the U.S., and in 2013, KCET ranked it first in its Seven Best Places to Stargaze in San Diego County. In 2014, The Active Timesdubbed Borrego one of the Top Spots for Stargazing Out West, and Afar Magazinelisted it among the the world's Epic Stargazing Destinations.To learn more about the village of Borrego Springs—its lodging, restaurants, activities and more—please visit the Borrego Springs Chamber of Commerce.

ABOUT BORREGO SPRINGS

The chart above displays the current and forecasted sky conditions for Borrego Springs.For instructions on how to interpret it visit Clear Dark Sky.